Oaks rolls out welcome mat
A NEW $12m hotel development on a prime CBD corner is set to be christened by an inaugural set of guests next month.
The Oaks Cairns Hotel is a 76-room development being completed by the local Esplanade Central group that will be operated by Oaks Hotels, Resorts and Suites.
Three levels have been added to the building, on the corner of the Cairns Esplanade and Shields Street, which is undergoing a complete conversion into a five-storey hotel.
Oaks Hotels, Resorts and Suites chief operating officer Craig Hooley said the new accommodation would bring a much-needed injection of rooms into the heart of the Far North’s tourism gateway.
“It has been a challenging year for the tourism industry with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting all hotels nationally,” he said.
“Minor (Hotel Group) is confident in the return of the traveller and thrilled to see Oaks continue to move forward and expand its portfolio into the city centre of Cairns, offering a premium accommodation option from which to explore the region.”
Overlooking Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and the Coral Sea in the heart of the CBD, the hotel will take advantage of its position and views with a rooftop Oak and Vine restaurant and bar, serving a daily buffet or a la carte breakfast and light lunch.
In the evening, the space will transform into a lively cocktail bar serving Peruvian share plates as well as contemporary Australian favourites.
Night Owl franchisor Adam Adams and business partners Kim and Paul Kelly are behind the project taking shape above the McDonald’s restaurant on the Cairns Esplanade.
Director of Kelly Development Services Paul Kelly said the new build was “significant” in its scope and vision.
“New boutique hotel stock is a necessity for Cairns to reflect the changing needs of travellers and capitalise on infrastructure and improvements taking place along the Cairns waterfront,” he said.
“Converting a former commercial and retail space was an effective use of the site and with Oaks’ well-known brand in the region it was a perfect fit.”
The hotel will join the existing Oaks Port Douglas Resort and form part of a chain of 28 hotels across Queensland.